Traveling to England for the First Time? Here are 5 Things You Need to Know

London. England
London. England. Photo by A Perry on Unsplash

Are you traveling to England for the first time? How exciting! Even though they speak the same language, the culture and country couldn’t be any more different than America. To avoid faux pas, it’s important to have an idea of what to expect when visiting England. Here are five things you should know before heading overseas.

Stand on the Right

This is a standard rule in the country, but it’s essential if you’re using London underground. Also, don’t stand on the left when on an escalator as people in a hurry will rush past you on the left.

Don’t Jump a Line

A line, known as a queue in England, is there for a reason. It’s important to wait patiently when in line and to keep your space.

Tipping is Generally Voluntary

In most places in England, tipping is voluntary. If you want to tip for good service, you can leave 10%. Sometimes a service fee of 10% has already been added, which means you’re not expected to tip.

England, Great Britain, and the United Kingdom Mean Different Things

It’s super confusing that these three names mean different things. England refers to the country, Great Britain includes England, Scotland, and Wales, and the United Kingdom includes Northern Ireland.

Drive on the Left

One of the most daunting things in England is that they drive on the left side of the road instead of the right. You’ll also find that most cars in the UK are manual, not automatic and the roads are really narrow.